Recipes
Prep time: 80 minutes
Plum braised pork chops
Main Dish, PorkAn overnight brine ensures that these chops are incredibly tender. The jelly provides a sweet flavor which permeates really well into the fatty areas. These were a hit with everyone in the family, and Gramma even compared them to pork chops when she was a kid.
See recipe » Prep time: 60 minutes
Oh my god caramel brownies
DessertGrease a 13x9 pan, including the sides. Unwrap the caramels, and place in a double boiler. Add one half of the milnot. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally until the caramels are melted. Turn off the heat, but leave the caramels over the water.
Place the butter in a microwave safe bowl and melt. Add the remaining milnot to the melted butter. Add the cake mix to the bowl. Mix with a fork until the dry ingredients absorb all the liquid.
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Sauteed Dou Miao with Garlic
Chinese, Main Dish, VegetableHeat the wok to a good, hot wok temperature; the highest setting on your stovetop, or like I do, over the grill outside. (The burner from a turkey fryer is great for this).
Put the vegetable oil in the wok and get it hot. You can use about half the oil here if you want. Add the garlic and toss until fragrant. This will take less than 30 seconds, probably.
Add dou miao and salt in batches; let dou miao wilt slightly before adding more.
As moisture from the leaves evaporates, add water if necessary. (I haven't found it necessary to do so yet).
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Rosemary Garlic Potatoes
Side Dish, VegetableBoil the potatoes until they're about half cooked. A knife or fork will offer some resistance.
Chop the onion and caramelize it with a little olive oil in a large oven-safe pan
Quarter the potatoes. Remove rosemary from stem. Add salt, rosemary, butter, potatoes, and olive oil to pan (or casserole dish).
Roast at 425 for about 45 minutes. Remove potatoes from pan and drain oil.
See recipe » Prep time: 45 minutes
Squash, Bacon & Swiss Cheese Soup
Pork, Soup, VegetableCut the squash into large pieces. Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the skin.
Scoop out and discard the seeds. CHop the squash into small chunks. Remove all the fat from the bacon and roughly chop it into small pieces.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan. add the onions and garlic and cook for 3 minutes or until they begin to become soft.
Add the bacon and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the spices and cook over low heat for a minute longer.
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Pizza Dough
Main DishCombine water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until the yeast is bubbling.
Stir in one cup of flour, then the olive oil and salt. Add another 4 1/2 c flour, mixing with a large spoon until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and holds together.
Sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of flour on your kneading surface. Turn the dough out and knead it until it feels cohesive. Let it rest while you clean and grease the bowl for rising. Continue kneading until the dough is smooth and spongy.
See recipe » Prep time: 15 minutes
Merlin's BBQ sauce
SauceMix all ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer. Adjust until you're happy with it.
See recipe » Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe » Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe » Prep time: 30-45 minutes
Merlin's Favorite Sloppy Joe
American, Main DishSloppy joes are traditionally kind of cheap tasting and overly salty and overly sweet, and messier than necessary. These sloppy joes have a bit of a tex mex flavor to them from the chili powder, and everyone in the house has to remind themselves that they're full, lest they go back for more. They're savory enough to make the adults happy while still being a fun food with a good texture for children.
See recipe »